Tape dispenser



March 11, 1958 I R. B. KR-ESSER 2,826,374

TAPE DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 3].", 1955 TAPE DISPENSER Robert B. Kresser, Holbrook, Mass. Application January 31, 1955, Serial No. 485,034 1 Claim. (Cl. 242-5551) My present invention is an improved tape dispensing device designed particularly for use in dispensing tape with one or both sides coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the object is to improve and perfect devices of this kind.

Heretofore it has been customary to provide a roll of tape with one or both surfaces coated with adhesive, wherein the operator would draw off an approximate length of tape from the roll to a cutting element, sever the same, and thereafter remove the tape and apply it to the article on which it is to be attached. Similarly, the tape might be withdrawn for a substantial distance and applied to the article beyond the cutting element and thereafter cut.

In both these prior operations the application of the tape in actual use was effected beyond the cutting element. Such prior efiorts were particularly difiicult where a double-coated tape is employed, wherein pressure-sensitive adhesive was on both surfaces and a roll of such doublecoated tape required an intermediate masking strip to be wound between the successive layers of the adhesively coated tape. As it was unwound and drawn off by the hand of the operator, it necessarily stuck to the fingers or to any article with which it came in contact. Furthermore, the effort to sever the desired length of tape when pulled ofi beyond the position of the cutting element was a matter of guesswork and resulted in inaccuracy of the length cut off and consequently a waste of material.

I have discovered that such an adhesively coated tape, particularly one coated on each surface, or doublecoated, can be quickly, eifectually, and advantageously united to the article to which it is intended to be attached before the cutting-off action and thus eliminate the necessity of the operator drawing off a random length by fingers, thus cutting oif and subsequently applying the cut off length of tape to whatever article it is desired to be attached.

Thus by my improved invention, the fingers of the operator do not need to touch the tape, or at least only one side of the extreme end when grasped adjacent the cutofi element and thus prevent sticking to the fingers of the operator, permit withdrawal of an accurate amount of tape as it is already bonded or attached to the article desired, and permit great speed in operation.

I accomplish this desirable result by providing a worktable interposed between the roll of tape and the cutting element, which worktable has means permitting the application of pressure to the upper surface of the tape during the bonding action of the same to an article and eliminate the sticking of the opposite coated surface of the tape to the worktable. Thereupon the bonded and united top surface of the tape, together with the article attached thereto, is withdrawn an accurate distance for the width or length of such article and the combined tape and attached article moved over the cutting element and the tape severed in the usual manner.

While I contemplate utilizing a worktable of any desired length and dimensions, I find it desirable to provide such United States M Patent 2,826,374 Patented Mar; 11, 1958- ice a worktable so attached to the frame carrying the adhesive roll to permit its being folded back into compact position, which will facilitate shipping and conserve space when not in use, and this foldable capacity is also an important feature of my present dispenser.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a side view ofmy improved dispenser with the worktable in folded position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the dispenser with the worktable in expanded position and ready for use;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the dispenser as shown in Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are perspective views illustrating the method of operation wherein a rider is attached to the adhesive surface of the tape and then moved the width or length of the rider, and thereupon accurately supported at the cutting element and subsequently applied in proper position or-allgnment to another document or other sheet.

As shown in the drawings, I prefer to illustrate my present improved dispenser and worktable'as prepared for handling a plurality of rolls of tape to be dispensed, preferably of varying widths, and either or both of which may be provided with double-coated surfaces wherein the in termedlate masking liner or the like must be unwound from the roll as the coated tape is dispensed.

Referring to the drawings, a suitable frame is provided comprising a base 1, upstanding sides 2-2, end braces 3 and 4 of appropriate length to receive an axle 5 fitting in notches 6-6 m the top of the sides 2, on which axle are mounted drums 8 and 9, to which may be applied rolls of tape 10 and 12. To draw olt the masking liner, as required in double-coated tape, a usual type of roll 15 is mounted on an axle 16, which axle is fitted in slots 17-17 in the sides 2-2 rearwardly of the tape rolls 1t) and 12. To rotate the winding roller 15 carrying the masking liner 42, 1 provide a belt attachment 20 extending from a hub 21 pinned to the axle 5, carrying a pulley 22, which belt extends around a smaller pulley 25 mounted on the axle 16 on the shaft 17, so that drawing off the tape from either roll 10 or 12 will rotate the pulley 23 and thus wind up the masking liner. The tension of the belt 20 is adjusted so that slippage of same on either the pulley 22 or roller 15 will allow for the diflerence in the winding diameter of the masking roll as it is removed from the tape and winds up on the roller 15, as will be clearly understood.

My worktable 25 is preferably attached by pivots 26- 26 to opposite top portions or extensions of the end 4, said pivots passing thru depending side lugs on the end 27 of the worktable, the opposite end of the worktable carrying the cutting-off element 28. This worktable also preferably carries an upstanding flange 30 which may be utilized to act as a guide; and a downturned flange 31 along the opposite edge of the worktable will act to strengthen the worktable and hold the cutting element 28 in rigid position as well as to enclose and house a pair of braces 33 pivoted to the underneath part of the worktable, as shown at 34, so that these braces may be housed therein when the worktable is in folded position; and the braces may be dopped downwardly resting against a shoulder 35 in the outer surface of the end 4, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or resting directly on the table, desk, or other support.

When the worktable is in folded position, I may provide a resilient rest 36 on the top of an extension 37 upstanding from the end 3 and of suitable height to enable the worktable to clear the top of the rollers 10 and 12; and as the worktable 25 is preferably formed with knurled, serrated, corrugated, grooved, or similar prepared surface 40, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, to prevent sticking to the worktable, as above explained, it may also be supported by resting directly on the top of the roll 12 or 8. This feature of a non-sticking surface, prepared in any manner to either assess;

3 substantially lim'it or entirely eliminate, the sticking or objectionable (adhering of the tape to themworktable is important.

With the worktable in operative position as shown in Figs. 2Jand 4,.a stripof the coated tape-41 drawn frorn a rollnltl, here;shownfor -illus trative:purposes asthe narrowerc-oflthe two rolls, is stretched across the workt-able and slightly :suspended from above to the cut- 011 element 28, where it is temporarily held,:and the masking tape 4-2 is drawn over the roller 15, as indicated'at 43;--so"-that;as the strip141 islidrawn theroller is rotated on its axle Sand the pulley 22 thereon rotates the rollenlS froInthe op positetdirection ..'thm-.the,taction .of :the belt; 20. Thereupon the operatonzmaytiapply a :sheetsuchas designated as a,,-rider.a45,.pressing it, sufiiciently against the -sur'face 41:0,frtheztap'e, andlthereupontmovingtboth rider and attached tapettotthe right, viewingiFigsi :4mand 5,-until-the edgexofithe .riderv iscinsregistryv with thetcuttingtotfelement 28; iwl 1e reupon the. tape 41 is ;cut accurately=as shownat Fig. 5, and: the, :rider. and, attached tape. therenpon applied directlyioihe document or other instrument SO.

, I l im: a As .a;newgarticleioftmanufacture, a tape-dispensing mapressure-sensitive tape 4 chine comprising means to hold a roll of double-coated -arrangedin rotatable "dispensing relation, in combination with a worktable over which said tape may be drawn, said worktable being constructed and arranged to be folded over the top of the dispensing machine when in inoperative position to form a protecting cover and to be unfolded in extended horizontal workreceiving position, said work ble having a vertical guide at one side and a tape cutter at one end.

ReferencesECited in the. .filer ofithispatent N TED STAT S PAT N 

